Now

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.
Dalai Lama 

At first glance, this seems kind of cold. What, are people replaceable just like that? you might ask. But on further inspection, I realized that I think I understand what he's trying to say.

It's hardly a secret that I've felt abandoned by many, if not most, of the people I've cared about in the past. People who seemed to be your best friends one minute, who were closer than family (or were family), who the next minute seemed to have forgotten you existed. Maybe you made a life change that they thought was too stupid or weird, and weren't wiling to support; maybe they just didn't have  use for you any more, because you'd already given all you could give. 

Things like this made it depressing to form new relationships, in a way. What's the point? This person will just pass on like all the rest. This method of thinking can keep you from getting close to others, and from making real connections.

But, at a certain point, I decided to stop focusing so much on the future. 
In reality, yes--most friendships don't last forever (if for no other reason than that people fall out of touch just from the business of life in general). But so what? That's not now. 
Now is a time that I have the opportunity to experience, learn, connect, make memories. I can enjoy every moment with another person that I am given to share with him or her. Each moment can be meaningful and enjoyed. 

And then, when people move on in our lives and new ones come, we have the same opportunity all over again. 
Does that mean the past relationship was a bitter failure? Not at all. It's something to look back on fondly, to remember all the good times you had and all that you learned. 

It's not about replacing people; it's about enjoying each and every moment of life as it comes. It's about appreciating everything in life. The new people don't replace the old ones; they fill a different space in the rich tapestry of your life.